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A M M
What if to sleep means to die?
A disease, the Death Sleep, has seized humanity. The Death Sleep struck slowly at first, but then it suddenly accelerated. Everyone succumbed to its devastating effects-violence, loss of reason, intermittent sleep, and finally death. Inevitably, everyone fell asleep, except Art Sand, a doctor specializing in Alzheimer's Disease.
Art Sand finds that an experimental drug can stave off the Death Sleep. Once fully awake, Art is horrified to discover a world ending as though Armageddon has arrived. As the chaos yields to quietude, Art discovers another survivor, a young girl named Maya who doesn't need the drug to live.
As Art and Maya search for answers, they encounter unexpected dangers. And they discover many more survivors. But are they a hostile, new race of human beings?
A lyrical literary novel, A M M powerfully captures the stark landscape of a post-apocalyptic world, and the hope and nightmare of a survivor.
A disease, the Death Sleep, has seized humanity. The Death Sleep struck slowly at first, but then it suddenly accelerated. Everyone succumbed to its devastating effects-violence, loss of reason, intermittent sleep, and finally death. Inevitably, everyone fell asleep, except Art Sand, a doctor specializing in Alzheimer's Disease.
Art Sand finds that an experimental drug can stave off the Death Sleep. Once fully awake, Art is horrified to discover a world ending as though Armageddon has arrived. As the chaos yields to quietude, Art discovers another survivor, a young girl named Maya who doesn't need the drug to live.
As Art and Maya search for answers, they encounter unexpected dangers. And they discover many more survivors. But are they a hostile, new race of human beings?
A lyrical literary novel, A M M powerfully captures the stark landscape of a post-apocalyptic world, and the hope and nightmare of a survivor.
- GenresScience Fiction
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2015
About the author
Nick Totem
5 books130 followersThe vampires have learned about my book, American Vampires, and are out to destroy my book. Humans, please help me by reading and posting your reviews.
If I disappear, it is because I have been captured and taken to the vampires Hives, the underground tunnels.
If I disappear, it is because I have been captured and taken to the vampires Hives, the underground tunnels.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 14, 2015
"A M M" an innovative and imaginative dystopian novel by Nick Totem heats up quickly two years after Dr. Arthur Sand rushes to the bed of a mentally retarded comatose patient who suddenly awakens lucid, intelligent and straining against the restraints that bind him to his bed. A Death Sleep has gripped the world globally as humanity is stricken with confusion, loss of reason and a sleep that eventually brings death.
In a post-apocalyptic setting Art Sand, a brilliant neurologist who gave up a thriving clinic to work as a researcher "specializing in Alzheimer's Disease", has awoken from his mental stupor in his garbage strewn house to find that stabbing himself with an epi-pen brings relief from his confusion. Discovering that a neural stimulant blocks the effects of the Death Sleep for hours he begins a search for answers that leads him to Psychiatric Rehabilitation Institute and fourteen year old Maya Cahn a survivor who's immune to the disease. Together they begin a dangerous journey to Berkley University not only to acquire more of the powder that's keeping Art alive and functioning but to find out why the disease has aroused people with a mental deficiency.
In a story that moves swiftly and smoothly, Nick Totem builds tension and suspense as Art and Maya take a trip across a violent, threatening landscape encountering wild dogs, hostile survivors, and a human predator. The mood is dark and apprehensive as they not only face the physical challenge of reaching the lab at Berkley, but Art confronts memories of his wife's betrayal, his divorce and the loss of the daughter he adored.
With clever dexterity the author spins a dystopian tale that's emotionally- gripping in its intensity as death strips any normalcy from the fabric of society and in doing so awakens a new race of human beings. Heartbroken by his separation and the probable death of the daughter he adored, the story explores not only the transparency of Art's feelings (his anger, frustration and pain) in the escalation of the fire he sets, but his healing as he struggles to protect Maya and his fatherly love for her grows.
With a lyrical writing style Nick Totem not only breathes life into this mesmerizing tale but interjects it with characters that are realistic and very complex. Dr. Arthur Sand endowed with a brilliant, logical medical mind who suffers not only with a mysterious disease that threatens his life but is haunted by the pain of losing his family is kind, stubborn, and determined but often paranoid. Maya Cahn a mentally retarded child abandoned in a Psychiatric Institute did not talk or respond until the disease changed the neural pathways in her brain. Inquisitive and now highly intelligent with an "impeccable memory" and reasoning ability she hungers for knowledge, is empathetic to life around her but is very naive. Along with secondary characters like wealthy and amiable George Carson, dangerous and immoral Sam Shield and steady, earnest and direct Bud Dule, they add passion, hope and drama into the nightmare of this post-apocalyptic world.
After reading the outline on Goodreads/First Reads, the story stimulated my curiosity and it didn't disappoint. I enjoyed it and hope that the ending portends a sequel in the making.
In a post-apocalyptic setting Art Sand, a brilliant neurologist who gave up a thriving clinic to work as a researcher "specializing in Alzheimer's Disease", has awoken from his mental stupor in his garbage strewn house to find that stabbing himself with an epi-pen brings relief from his confusion. Discovering that a neural stimulant blocks the effects of the Death Sleep for hours he begins a search for answers that leads him to Psychiatric Rehabilitation Institute and fourteen year old Maya Cahn a survivor who's immune to the disease. Together they begin a dangerous journey to Berkley University not only to acquire more of the powder that's keeping Art alive and functioning but to find out why the disease has aroused people with a mental deficiency.
In a story that moves swiftly and smoothly, Nick Totem builds tension and suspense as Art and Maya take a trip across a violent, threatening landscape encountering wild dogs, hostile survivors, and a human predator. The mood is dark and apprehensive as they not only face the physical challenge of reaching the lab at Berkley, but Art confronts memories of his wife's betrayal, his divorce and the loss of the daughter he adored.
With clever dexterity the author spins a dystopian tale that's emotionally- gripping in its intensity as death strips any normalcy from the fabric of society and in doing so awakens a new race of human beings. Heartbroken by his separation and the probable death of the daughter he adored, the story explores not only the transparency of Art's feelings (his anger, frustration and pain) in the escalation of the fire he sets, but his healing as he struggles to protect Maya and his fatherly love for her grows.
With a lyrical writing style Nick Totem not only breathes life into this mesmerizing tale but interjects it with characters that are realistic and very complex. Dr. Arthur Sand endowed with a brilliant, logical medical mind who suffers not only with a mysterious disease that threatens his life but is haunted by the pain of losing his family is kind, stubborn, and determined but often paranoid. Maya Cahn a mentally retarded child abandoned in a Psychiatric Institute did not talk or respond until the disease changed the neural pathways in her brain. Inquisitive and now highly intelligent with an "impeccable memory" and reasoning ability she hungers for knowledge, is empathetic to life around her but is very naive. Along with secondary characters like wealthy and amiable George Carson, dangerous and immoral Sam Shield and steady, earnest and direct Bud Dule, they add passion, hope and drama into the nightmare of this post-apocalyptic world.
After reading the outline on Goodreads/First Reads, the story stimulated my curiosity and it didn't disappoint. I enjoyed it and hope that the ending portends a sequel in the making.
April 24, 2018
This is a book that while reading, I often considered not completing, but I'm glad I did. A M M is yet another post-apocalyptic story (how many of those do we really need?) with a medical researcher, who had gone through a painful divorce right before the apocalypse began, and was separated from his daughter, as the main character. Art Sand, manages to survive the apocalypse due to an experimental drug he designed himself, but soon discovers that others have also found ways to survive an epidemic that has killed almost everyone.
I felt that the book spent too much time in Art Sand, which is understandable on one given his situation, but not particularly interesting, given that his thoughts were mostly about his gold-digging wife.
However the payoff at the end was totally worth the wait, especially with the introduction of Bud, who really made the story for me work, not only as a story, but at a deeper level as well. Overall this was a magnificent debut, and I'm looking forward to more by the author.
I felt that the book spent too much time in Art Sand, which is understandable on one given his situation, but not particularly interesting, given that his thoughts were mostly about his gold-digging wife.
However the payoff at the end was totally worth the wait, especially with the introduction of Bud, who really made the story for me work, not only as a story, but at a deeper level as well. Overall this was a magnificent debut, and I'm looking forward to more by the author.
October 22, 2023
I recieved this book from the Goodreads First Reads contest.
I found it difficult to get into/understand at first however once after a few chapters, my attention was captivated.
The story takes place in a post- appocalyptic California, where a disease known as Death Sleep has consumed most of humanity. Dr. Arthur Sands, the main character, has found that he survives by taking a specific powder every 6 hours. He finds a survivor, Maya, who does not need this powder and whom has the ability to survive without it. Together their adventure is their travel to San Francisco to try and get more of this powder & they encounter others along the way, as well as a lot of death and distraction.
An interesting read and concept. I did find it interesting that the author chose not to use quotation marks when indicating a character speaking, and I found this difficult to follow at multiple occasions while reading.
I found it difficult to get into/understand at first however once after a few chapters, my attention was captivated.
The story takes place in a post- appocalyptic California, where a disease known as Death Sleep has consumed most of humanity. Dr. Arthur Sands, the main character, has found that he survives by taking a specific powder every 6 hours. He finds a survivor, Maya, who does not need this powder and whom has the ability to survive without it. Together their adventure is their travel to San Francisco to try and get more of this powder & they encounter others along the way, as well as a lot of death and distraction.
An interesting read and concept. I did find it interesting that the author chose not to use quotation marks when indicating a character speaking, and I found this difficult to follow at multiple occasions while reading.
July 17, 2021
This is an awesome novel. It reflects the current environment of the planet. You need to read this novel.
August 15, 2015
Physician Art Sand is at a banquet in a tux when he receives the call from his hospital that mentally retarded patient David Calweld has awakened from his coma and has said some strange things; and since he's part of the wealthy family who has supported the hospital, Art has no choice but to speed to the young man's bedside, there to embark on a strange journey indeed. His long-time patient has never verbally communicated; but now he is revealing some strange things indeed.
Some think he's possessed by the devil, but Art Sand believes the encephalitis may have forged new connections between the brain's neural pathways. In reality, something even stranger is going on, and physician Sand finds himself embroiled in the dangerous mystery of how a long-time mentally retarded patient suddenly becomes intelligent.
As he probes what has happened to David Caldwell, a bigger picture emerges that brings with it a series of challenging choices and evolving perceptions of new promises and dangers. Through events that circle through divorce and loss, recovery, and creatures that "…come from us; yet they are not us." comes the increasing revelation of strange new worlds that exist as a subset of the common flow of humanity.
Nick Totem's ability to add unexpected twists to a topic that begins as a Robin Cook-style thriller and evolves into something satisfyingly more complex is only equaled by his ability to craft well-rounded protagonists, different purposes, and discoveries that revolve around the Death Sleep and its implications for all.
In such a world there are few safe havens, and under such a hand as Totem's there is little opportunity for distraction. Readers will be gripped by the events that swirl around Art, and will find A M M nearly impossible to put down, ultimately calling into question the very nature of reality itself. For more detail, you'll just have to read the amazing story of a world gone apocalyptic.
Some think he's possessed by the devil, but Art Sand believes the encephalitis may have forged new connections between the brain's neural pathways. In reality, something even stranger is going on, and physician Sand finds himself embroiled in the dangerous mystery of how a long-time mentally retarded patient suddenly becomes intelligent.
As he probes what has happened to David Caldwell, a bigger picture emerges that brings with it a series of challenging choices and evolving perceptions of new promises and dangers. Through events that circle through divorce and loss, recovery, and creatures that "…come from us; yet they are not us." comes the increasing revelation of strange new worlds that exist as a subset of the common flow of humanity.
Nick Totem's ability to add unexpected twists to a topic that begins as a Robin Cook-style thriller and evolves into something satisfyingly more complex is only equaled by his ability to craft well-rounded protagonists, different purposes, and discoveries that revolve around the Death Sleep and its implications for all.
In such a world there are few safe havens, and under such a hand as Totem's there is little opportunity for distraction. Readers will be gripped by the events that swirl around Art, and will find A M M nearly impossible to put down, ultimately calling into question the very nature of reality itself. For more detail, you'll just have to read the amazing story of a world gone apocalyptic.
November 15, 2015
I received this book from the Goodreads Giveaways and in return will give it an honest review.
I had high expectations for this book just off the blurb, it sounded so good. I wasn't disappointed. At first I was a little bit wary of the top fluffy sentences that had more description than necessary but that was mostly used to set up the apocalyptic world that has been affected by the Death Sleep. I find the Death Sleep very curious and want to know more about how it affected the population. You get some insight as the main character is a neurologist but even he doesn't know completely how. I hope a sequel is in the works for Art Sand's next adventure across the country and research into what happened and how some people awoke from it instead of sleeping.
This book very much reminded me of The a walking Dead, it might have been because of the end of the world because there certainly weren't walkers out to get you. Of course Nick Totem did better research for this book as he had to k ow about all the medical things mentioned as well as what would deteriorate in the apocalypse. Unlike TWD where the gasoline seemingly never goes bad or runs out, Art tells Maya how after a couple years the gasoline won't even be usable since it will eventually break down and jellify. There were some bad people taking advantage of their new situation and the main character isn't quite good himself, but he has the best intentions and is just paranoid about his own and Maya's safety. Those awoken are quite odd, but despite the oddness, it makes sense that they would now be those inheriting the earth. Their views are kind of weird, but that's probably because, like Art, I am of the old world and I would have been one affected by the Death Sleep.
I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good apocalyptic themed book.
I had high expectations for this book just off the blurb, it sounded so good. I wasn't disappointed. At first I was a little bit wary of the top fluffy sentences that had more description than necessary but that was mostly used to set up the apocalyptic world that has been affected by the Death Sleep. I find the Death Sleep very curious and want to know more about how it affected the population. You get some insight as the main character is a neurologist but even he doesn't know completely how. I hope a sequel is in the works for Art Sand's next adventure across the country and research into what happened and how some people awoke from it instead of sleeping.
This book very much reminded me of The a walking Dead, it might have been because of the end of the world because there certainly weren't walkers out to get you. Of course Nick Totem did better research for this book as he had to k ow about all the medical things mentioned as well as what would deteriorate in the apocalypse. Unlike TWD where the gasoline seemingly never goes bad or runs out, Art tells Maya how after a couple years the gasoline won't even be usable since it will eventually break down and jellify. There were some bad people taking advantage of their new situation and the main character isn't quite good himself, but he has the best intentions and is just paranoid about his own and Maya's safety. Those awoken are quite odd, but despite the oddness, it makes sense that they would now be those inheriting the earth. Their views are kind of weird, but that's probably because, like Art, I am of the old world and I would have been one affected by the Death Sleep.
I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good apocalyptic themed book.
October 23, 2015
!!!SPOILER ALERT!!! After reading this book one thing that I know for sure is; I DON"T want to be around after Armageddon has arrived! This story is well written by a doctor who knows his stuff and keeps you wondering what the main character, Dr. Arthur Sands, MD, Ph.D and the young girl he found while he was out exploring the city of L.A., in an asylum, are going to do next. He needs to make more of the drug that is keeping him alive, but he needs to find the ingredients at a hospital or lab or he will subcome to the Death Sleep. His next question is why some people have NOT died from this disease, what makes them immune to this disease, trained in researching and specializing in Alzheimer's Disease he needs to find out what is keeping these people alive? He decides one day to go out and drive around the city for what he needs to make his life saving drug when he almost literally runs into another man alive in the city of L.A. After talking to this man this leads Art and Maya into exploring more of the city and further to look for more people surviving his disease, which leads Art and Maya into a world of unexpected danger by those who have who have survived the from the Death Sleep, but will these people accept them, who can they trust? The story has a sad ending to me as the good doctor sets out looking for his family who he was separated from a few years before the Death Sleeps strikes, leaving Maya alone and on her own.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 26, 2015
I must admit that I was quite skeptical at first with the claim of the author using his own medical experience to add substance to the book, as I often find that authors who try to mix their real professions into their writing often do not execute it very well, but even early on in the book I found that Nick Totem does a great job of blending his own expertise into the story that ultimately adds a sense of realism which, in turn, made the story feel more dynamic and with a deeper depth, for me personally.
Of course, there’s much more to the book than the aforementioned, but what I admire the most about “A M M” is that it genuinely is unique and original while still staying true to the sci-fi/dystopian genre. I have read my fair share of books with a dystopian theme, even many that center around worlds ravaged by a wide variety of diseases, but I can’t think of any that are similar to this.
Of course, there’s much more to the book than the aforementioned, but what I admire the most about “A M M” is that it genuinely is unique and original while still staying true to the sci-fi/dystopian genre. I have read my fair share of books with a dystopian theme, even many that center around worlds ravaged by a wide variety of diseases, but I can’t think of any that are similar to this.
January 4, 2016
A M M is a quick paced apocalyptic thriller filled with exciting twists and a nuanced plot. The concept might seem like more of the same, but it definitely stands out from the rest of the genre. Its originality lies in the creative premise of the ‘Death Sleep,’ I’d venture to say there is no other book or film that faces down such an ominous and unique threat. The thing that made the book genuine for me was the characters. The two main players are Art and Maya. They are fleshed out and three dimensional. Art’s patience and compassion for Maya tugged at my heart. I felt compelled by his willingness to stand in as a sort of father figure to her and keep her safe. In teaching her about the world, the reader gains insight into Art’s philosophy of life which is surprisingly different than one might expect. The character is ends up being more thoughtful than clinical. This excellent novel is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling. A++
April 29, 2016
What a book. Really sophisticated writing. Darn crazy idea about how the human species will end, but what got me was the surprised evolution of a new human species- a Darwinian selection for the modern age. Left me wondering after I finished. Great book.
Did Not Finish
November 8, 2015The concept is great but it is moving too slowly and I can't get into it. I don't connect with Art at all.
Want to Read
November 15, 2015I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and will review once I've read it.
November 30, 2015
I struggled just a little to get into the story, but once there this one raced to the end. I don't know if sequels are planned, but I want to know if Art succeeds!
January 21, 2016
Ho hum I must stop reading post-apocalyptic books, there are so many sub standard ones coming out that are almost indistinguishable from each other. This is one.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews